TTC First Baby Catch-up With Our Babies Continued!!

[ELW85]

Hi all

As I’m rubbish and keep double posting I thought I’d start a new thread as we’re nearly at 1k.
I don’t have all of the OG’s so apologies for anyone I miss or anyone I miss in general (blaming lack of coffee this morning!!)

@Delilah7 @RanchoRelaxo @MrsR16 @thumper59 @trashkitten10 @Bostonfern @crossfitgirl @Fivebyfive2 @MrsEG @purplefig @LarryDavid @Lemonysherbet @Stormtrooperjulian @MrsH497 @LokiCat @Cupcakesandglitter

@ELW85, that's great about Finn using his right hand more recently. Sorry to hear he's snuffly; I think there is alot of it going around, Joe has been a very snuffly baby this week.

Does anyone else's baby think sneezing is the best thing ever?! Or is Joe just a weirdo?? Considering the way he's currently playing with his changing mat, I think I may know the answer 😂😕

Sorry I've been MIA this week, I've had a rotten cold. Not fun when also trying to wrangle an almost 7 month old (omg 7 months...what?!?!). Starting to feel better today thankfully.

How're we all doing?? Sick to the back teeth of ruddy Coronavirus and our joke of a government?! No just me?! 😳😂

Other than all that fun and games M and I are doing grand. Oh but she really has decided 4/5am is officially Time to Wake Up 😬😬😬 no idea what to do. She goes down at 6.30/7pm every night, never has more than 3.5 hrs of naps a day, doesn't really nap after 4pm etc.. Thinking of trying a later bedtime as maybe she's only a 10 hr a night girl, not 12.

@ELW85 really hope you hear back soon bud. Stress upon stress for you atm. Sounds like Finn is doing really well mind, other than the snuffles. M had them last week and I rushed out to buy a nasal aspirator that did f all 🙄 honestly these marketers see us coming 😬

@MrsEG how're you doing lovely? What mayhem are the boys up to? How's your sis getting on with pregnancy? Seems like it's relaxing in some areas re: partners attending scans etc. Thanks for all the sleep chat too - really useful to hear what others do. If she was up at 7am we'd deffo be down to 2 naps a day, but her 4/5am start rather ruins my grand plans 😂

@Fivebyfive2 I am beyond chuffed for you that Joe is starting to sleep a bit better ❤️ it's magical stuff isn't it, sleep?! Great news about the nursery too. Re: crawling I wouldn't worry, they all go at their own pace. I've got a mate with a just turned six month old and she showed me a video of him pulling up to stand in his cot...um, what?! How's everything with the in-laws atm?

Right must jet - dinner is ready!! Freezer curry (thanks past me!), homemade saag paneer and....chips!! X

Evening all

Just a quick update...

Just had an email from Finn’s neurologist; his EEG is normal!!
Brilliant news!!
Just need to get the physio assessment done and we can relax!

She’s got me on edge about his hands still being fisted at times. Once I get to the bottom of that, I’m officially giving up on Google and worrying.

I want to thank you all for your support, you’ve all been amazing.
We’re not out of the woods yet but we’re getting there and I couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you @MrsR16 for dropping in on me and making sure I’m not losing my mind, your messages have been lovely.

@purplefig - I also fell victim to the aspirator and can confirm it does F ALL!!

@Fivebyfive2 - sneezing is the cutest, confirmed.

In other news that should seem massive but feels irrelevant to me at the moment; we sold the house!

I really really hope you’re all getting on well and I’m sorry I’m just absent at the moment. I’m getting there. Hopefully normal service will resume soon xx

@purplefig Thanks lovely, hopefully we will raise strong, confident girls ready to take on the world ☺️ M's 4am starts sound hideous, hope the later bedtime helps. Love a freezer meal, always try to cook extra a couple of times a week to keep the freezer stash topped up :) Never made saag paneer but love it from the takeaway, do you have a good recipe?

@LokiCat Thank you and your mum for the advice. I contacted the GP, sent some photos and had a phone appointment and they have referred us on to the hospital to get them to have a better look at Daisy's eyes :) So pleased to hear you're heading out of the other side of the regression, those weeks are torture 😩

@Fivebyfive2 Your in laws are nutty! Joe is doing so well with his sleep, bet you're chuffed. He's still well within the normal range for crawling so don't worry. I met my friend from baby group and her baby is 9
months and not yet crawling whereas Daisy is everywhere. Her baby is chatting away though whilst Daisy just says 'Da!' on repeat haha. They all develop so differently:)

@MrsEG Can't believe they both learnt to crawl together! They could have at least given you a few weeks in between to let you get used to one mobile baby before having two 😂 We too have a baby jail, known affectionately as THE CAGE haha.

@ELW85 Great news that Finn is using his right hand more. Poor thing feeling unwell though :( Sitting up is brilliant! He must have a good amount of strength to be able to do that :)

Hiya ladies, just dropping back in to say hello! I'm sorry I've been horrendous at keeping up recently!

Glad we're all ok, apart from a few sniffles here and there 😊

Hi all

Been AWOL! So so so done with Covid now. Part of me thinks can the vulnerable do some sort of shielding plus so everyone else can get on with our lives!
Fortunately baby classes not affected, I've got a bit mad and have booked loads. So we're doing massage Mondays, Tuesday is post natal gym class (with a childminder) and Fridays is swimming. We had our first baby swim class this morning and it was absolutely brilliant. Probably the most fun I've had on mat leave so far. Highly highly recommend doing it!!

Our sleep has gone completely to pot after being great for 3 weeks in late July/early August. Up 6 times overnight argh!! Keep telling me self it'll pass!

Glad to hear your investigations for Finn have been normal so far @ELW85 ! That's great that he's sitting!!

And @MrsEG 2 crawlers to chase after!!!

We are very nearly needing a baby prison! She's up on hand sand knees rocking back and forth arrrgh!!

Hope everyone is well despite shitty covid nonsense xx

@LikeTheFruit honestly, baby jail's the best investment I've made so far! 😂 however, now Ethan's dragging himself up, which scares the living daylights out of me. Thankfully he's not done any damage to himself yet! 🤣 I think sleep will sort itself out! I was at the point where I was thinking "oh dear god, is this ever going to end?" when he started going 11/12 hours at night! I didn't do anything different, he was just ready! The last 2 days though he's been up and at them at 5am 😴😴😴

Morning all,
Hope everyone has a nice weekend planned! The boys both have awful colds, Ruairí it’s a like a tap has been turned on in his nose! Poor wee mites, and I’ve got it too, of course! I’m going some KIT day work too, spreading two days out across the weekend also so I can just do a couple of hours here and there. Feels weird using my work brain again!

@ELW85 Ah sorry to hear he hasn’t been well! It’s horrid isn’t it! Yesterday Ruairí was basically attached to me which is just so, so unlike him.
What wonderful news about the EEG! When does he have his physio assessment? I hope he’ll fly through it with no issues. My friends daughter was referred to physio for not crawling but she was completely fine.
And CONGRATS on the house sale! Wonderful news! Have you managed to now nab the house you had your eye on?

@purplefig No way, when does she turn 7 months? It goes so fast! Yes, utterly sick of COVID now and this ridiculous clown running the country, my sister is pregnant and is having a shitter of a time with appointments and scans.
Ah sorry she’s still waking so early! Could you maybe even try and earlier bedtime so she isn’t up so long in the day? I honestly don’t know though - I’ve lucked out with the boys I think! They’re all so different these babies. I do follow an insta account though that has a good video on early rising and it’s what I watched when the boys were waking at 5:45, managed to get them to 6:30/6:45 now (and I leave them babbling til 7!)
She’s called sleep.time.baby a lady called Kate, really lovely!

@TrashKitten10 Haha the cage indeed! I know. I had about 2 days grace before Ruairí decided to crawl too. They’ve both made it in to the fireplace, torn all the photo albums off a shelf (and chewed them), broke a lamp. Send help!! How has work been going?

@MrsR16 Not more sniffles! Must be the time of year! Someone did reassure me it’s good for their immune systems to ride out a cold though!

@LikeTheFruit all the classes sound brilliant! I’m so jealous of the swimming, I must be on every waiting list within a 10 mile radius!! So glad she loves it! The rocking back and forth on their knees is how is starts... the commando crawl comes next!!

Here’s the boys utterly engrossed in Hey Duggee the other day!

@MrsEG morning! Oh bless the twins! Colds are awful, but as you say, it is good for them on the long run! The boys look adorable 😊 and very engrossed for sure!

Hi all, I'll try to do a proper reply without losing the page...

@LikeTheFruit, hang in there with sleep, she'll get there! In the meantime, just do whatever will make things easiest for you guys. Have fun at the baby groups, let us know how they go 🙂

@purplefig, maybe M is a bit like Joe, he only ever seems to have between 9 and 10.5 hours total sleep at night and seems fine on it... Any less and he will be grumpy, but apparently anything from 9 to 12 hours is normal. Not that I'm in any place to advise really!

@MrsEG, aaahh bless them, they're so cute! Hey Duggie is a lifeline here sometimes 😂

Totally get the frustration about covid and the government, so many mixed messages and backwards priorities in my opinion!

We decided to try Joe in his room last night and after a strong start, ended up having a terrible night and needles to say he was in with us before morning 🤦‍♀️ Dh and I have also had words.... About baby food of all things, but as always it is about more than that. So I give Joe wheatabix for breakfast with fruit, tea he has something on toast plus a bit of ours if it's OK and lunchtime (when I'm on my own mostly) he has a pouch/jar of something. I haven't done any batch cooking for ages, not had time. Dh is coming home at random times because work is up and down, so we're just having quick stuff, so not always baby suitable etc. And dh say about how much baby food he is having and it's not great.... I'm sorry but come on, i do every feed, every sleep, most of the baths, most of the reading up on stuff and prep etc... He knows I love cooking and would love to do more, but I've got to have some time for me as well, or am I being selfish/lazy??? He says he didn't mean it like that and I know he didn't really, but it just stung, like he thinks I could be doing more?? Maybe I'm just being sensitive at the moment, I don't know.

Anyway, sorry to bore on, it's a little thing in grand scheme of things. Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend!

@MrsR16 @ELW85 good to hear from you guys!

@TrashKitten10, I take it Daisy is still Spirited?! 😂😛

@Fivebyfive2 hey lovely lady! I'd just laugh if your DH told me Ethan was having too much baby food... that's all he has! I've only in the last few days given him home made stuff or actual fruit 😂 I hate cooking, I can't do it without getting myself into a frenzy, so Ethan has baby food from a jar. He's doing well! I'm sure Joe will be the same 😂

@MrsR16, see that's the thing, we've both said that it's fine he has it, it's just normal food but mushed up and convenient... I'm actually thinking he probably meant it's a shame I don't get chance to cook more because he knows I love it normally... But he's not great at getting things across and it just seemed like he was saying I 'should' be cooking more, if that makes sense?! Let me know how Ethan gets on with more 'adult' ish food, I'm a bit nervous about giving Joe some stuff, he's such a machine I worry he just try to ram stuff all in at once and get the sense Ethan is similar 😂

@Fivebyfive2 So the first thing I’d have said is that DH has hands and knows how to use an oven too!! There’s nothing wrong with baby jars and pouches, I’m sure Ella of Ellas Kitchen is a millionaire!
However - having twins, I stopped with pouches within a few days, they’re so expensive for what they are and when you have two very greedy boys I just couldn’t justify it at all. So I’ve become the baby food prep queen!!
Again, if you’re happy with your set up just tell DH to cook himself of zip it! But if you do enjoy the cooking and are just struggling with time, the best advice I could offer is do it when you’re making your own dinner. Every 3rd night I’ll batch cook something for the boys as I make tea, I put two days worth in the fridge and freeze the rest. DH will also do a big batch cook on a Sunday afternoon. I really love the What Mummy Makes cookbook and we at the minute are mostly making the potato-based pies, pasta and cous cous dishes as they can chew and swallow loads of that. So then on the day I just have to heat it up and quickly prep a few finger foods. I’m EXHAUSTED from it, I never stop cleaning and the dishwasher is on overdrive! But now I’ve gotten in to the swing of it it’s just part of my routine.
Breakfast I either prep some overnight oats (and again do enough for 2 days) or I just make them porridge as thats super fast and I’ll stir in some fruit and peanut butter for the extra calories!
It’s made things so so sooooo much cheaper for me, and the boys love it, so it’s what’s working well for us, but just do whatever works for you!!

@Fivebyfive2 I'm like you and love cooking but it isn't easy with a baby wanting your attention. I love having a freezer stash so decided to make a couple of fish pies the other day. Started them at about 8:45am when Daisy started her morning nap. She woke up way before they were finished and I was making the buggers on and off until mid afternoon. Didn't even fancy fish pie after about 6 hours intermittently cooking various components 🤦🏻‍♀️ It's so annoying when partners make digs, especially when it sounds like you're rushed off your feet already. You definitely need some rest and down time, don't spend every second of nap time busy and preparing. Maybe try to get a few meals planned that are super quick and you can all eat together to save you time in cooking two things. Curry and microwave rice is super quick and Daisy loves chewing a naan bread. Gnocchi, filled pasta, jacket potatoes, omelette/frittatas/any form of egg. Now I'm back at work I do double of a meal a couple of times a week and then stick half in the freezer for work nights. That being said, if you're happy with how food is going then stick with it. When DH starts sorting out the food then he can have an opinion on it ☺️

@Fivebyfive2 you're absolutely spot on - Ethan rams everything possible in there! But then he pushes bits out that he's realised won't fit and hasn't actually choked on anything touch wood. He's gagged a few times but that's alright.

He got his first little war wound today! We were at a friend's house for a cuppa and they've got a patio with a step down to a larger area. Clearly Ethan needed to go exploring and neither DH nor I were quick enough to catch him before he face planted the floor! 🤦‍♀️ little scrape of his face and we think he cut the inside of his mouth a little bit definitely nothing to worry about 😂

@MrsR16, aaaahhh no poor Ethan, I hope he bounced back OK and that you didn't have too big of a heart attack! Joe face planted the laminate floor the other week and I almost died, God knows what I'll be like when he's on the move properly! Hopefully our boys learn a bit of portion control soon 😂

@MrsEG, I totally get what you mean about the cost of the pouches and actually I think that was one of the reasons dh brought it up; he's having a mini meltdown about nursery fees at the moment. Even though we can afford it without going broke or anything, it's still a lot! Thanks for the book recommendation too! I've actually seen that one mentioned a few times so have ordered it off amazon, it would be great if I could get some meals we can all have, even if it is just a couple of times a week, to break things up.

@TrashKitten10, thanks for the tips, I think Joe would love a naan bread with something to dip 🙂 Now that it's coming to autumn, I'm hoping to do more stuff like casserole, pasta bakes, soups etc that I can batch cook.

Hope every one has a nice Sunday. We're off to my parents for lunch 😋

Oh and talking of covid stuff, we had a chat yesterday and have decided if we have another full on lockdown over autumn /winter, we're moving in with my parents! My dad will be retired this month and with dh still working through lockdowns, it will give me some extra support. Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but you never know!

@ELW85 ahhh I'm so pleased for you and Finn, that's incredible news! Excellent work just casually selling your house too 😂👌🏼 Got anything lined up to buy?

@MrsEG awww gorgeous boys!!! Hope they're both over their sniffles soon. Sorry to hear about your poor sis, it's a rough old time to be pregnant. Especially given the anxiety she must feel after her miscarriage. How're you doing? Are you in local lockdown? ooo thanks I've stalked her and watched her ITVG on early rising....could be under or over tired, or environmental factors. So hard to know definitively. Thinking maybe over tired as realised even when she gets up at 5am she still only has 3 hrs naps a day, so I'll see if she'll do more today. Today she was awake at 4am, managed to get her back down by 5am...then she was up at 5.30am 😬 clearly still tired but too cross to sleep. I don't know what to do when she stirs now though - I give her a chance to settle, but invariably go in and that's when it escalates. But I can't just leave her to wail indefinitely. Oh god sorry this has turned into an essay.

@MrsR16 awww little man 💕 it's bound to happen isn't it? Are you doing ok? Chuffed he's sleeping better atm!

@Fivebyfive2 lol unless DH is pulling his weight around the house, then just no. IMO childcare = my current full time job. DH and I share everything else. As it goes I'm the better cook so I do do all her food (and ours), but he does all the laundry and daily maintenance cleaning. In terms of getting food prep done, I do a big batch session on the weekend when DH has M. Then it all gets chucked in her freezer drawer and I get stuff out every night for the following day. We're veggie so I tend to roast a load of veg (often frozen so it's already) then blitz/mash it up with flavourings (e.g. garlic, herbs, cheese etc.) and some protein (e.g. tofu, beans etc.). Then I'll make and freeze some bits to add texture (e.g. pasta, quinoa, lentils). I also have stuff to hand I can use instantly e.g. yoghurt, cottage cheese, bananas. Breakfast is berry overnight oats or chia pudding. We do use pouches here and there (prunes for constipation!! 😅) but just too exxy for us to use a lot of. But you're 100% right...we need time to ourselves too. So I'd say if you're literally doing everything around the house, 100% do whatever you need to do to make life easier for yourself. If DH has a problem with pouches he's welcome to pop an apron on and get cooking. OMG I'm such a grump...I'm going to blame the early start 😬😅

@TrashKitten10 I think just us being self aware will make all the difference!! Ah my saag paneer was just made up in my head....fried up some cubes paneer with garlic and ginger, chucked in some defrosted frozen spinach (better texture for this and no clagginess!!) with some coconut milk. Really nice and easy, probably not remotely authentic 😂. What helped with your early morning starts?!

@Fivebyfive2 It’s such a fab book, I have a flick through and earmark a few that sound good (and easy!) then just add those to the shopping list! But like everyone has said just do what works best for you guys. My DH had a flip about nursery fees recently and it’s understandable - I’m losing a days wage and we also suddenly have this massive extra expense! But you make it work, I sat and worked out the new household budget and like you say, tight but we’ll manage! The things we do for these babies eh?!
That sounds like a good idea. I struggle to imagine another full lockdown though to be honest - truly don’t think the Gov could afford it again. I think our worst case may be sticking like we are now, small numbers allowed to meet. I have a small inkling pubs might shut... but I can’t see anyone being furloughed again!

@purplefig we just got out of local lockdown a week ago just in time for the ‘6’ rule to come in so not much has changed here really haha! I’ll be honest, I don’t massively abide. With us, my sisters family and parents and kids, there’s 9 of us and we all meet often. I just don’t care anymore! We practice good hygiene, wear our masks when out, we don’t see many others. I’m not spending the boys entire first year not seeing people!
Ahh it must be so frustrating. The boys are the same you know, if I go in when they wake they just wake up more! Last night Ruairí was upset for like an hour with his cold, I did EVERYTHING I could think of to settle him. In the end I went and stood outside the room for 2 mins and be bloody went straight off.

Have a good day everyone! Both boys colds are still bad, they actually have a small rash on their cheeks from all the snot and dribble bless them. Ruairí in particular seems most upset with it. We took them to DHs gym yesterday for a change of scenery and they were crawling about all over the place, why am I encouraging this putting them on a running track?!
Not much planned today, I’m doing some KIT day work still for some much needed ££! Off for a run in a mo though while they nap. I’m SO slow these days but just enjoy the fresh air!!

@Fivebyfive2 he's absolutely fine! 😂 quick 2 min cuddle with DH and distraction with a ball and he'd forgotten all about it 🤣 I've already resigned myself to the fact that he'll be getting up to all sorts of mischief - if DH is anything to go by, I'll constantly be in hospital with Ethan! 😂 I hope you enjoy going to your parents' today! Good plan re: moving in... you just never know what's going to happen!

@purplefig it absolutely is! He's also decided that he can stand up perfectly well with just one hand hanging onto something (normally baby jail!) 🤦‍♀️ crazy child! You say about him sleeping better... apparently DH was up from 3 till half 4 with him this morning! I didn't hear a thing 😂

@MrsEG I hope today goes ok for you! Those boys are just so cute!

@MrsR16, glad you're all OK 😀

@purplefig, not a grump at all, I think you and I could have have some fab conversations about the patriarchal system and society's expectations of women! Xx

I saw on another thread that Valid User is expecting a boy 😀

Ffs... My brother, who we saw yesterday, has had a covid test at work today as standard and has tested positive. Isolation again then 😕

Oh no @Fivebyfive2 !! Is he symptomatic at all?

@likethefruit, no he is fine so hoping he stays that way and that none of us get symptoms! I called 119 and was told we should isolate but not have a test unless we develop symptoms. Dh is home from work now.

Soooo...our lockdown projects are set to include: meal prep / different meals that Joe can join in with, tidying the house and properly knuckling down and getting Joe in his room at night. We may even do some sleep training (I've posted on the sleep and parenting boards for advice!) to get him off feeding to sleep. I think it's time and with us all at home for 2 weeks at least we can rest if the first few nights are bad. I may well be coming on for moral support ladies...

@Fivebyfive2 Jesus Christ! That's not ideal! Moral support's here whenever you need it! ❤️

@Fivebyfive2 such a nightmare for you but at leas tit gives you a couple of quiet weeks to get yourselves sorted.